Modular electric switch with toggle actuating means

ABSTRACT

An electric switch with a snap action mechanism including toggle links joined at a knee. Holding means retain the knee of the toggle as the mechanism passes an overcenter position and thereafter release the knee at a selected point while biasing means assist in returning the mechanism and a connected contact carrier from a toggle position in which the toggle links are extended.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert E. Walters Bayside; Gerd C.Boysen, Milwaukee, both 01, Wis. [21] Appl. No. 749,716 [22] Filed Aug.2, 1968 [23] Division of Ser. No. 488,548, Sept. 20, 1965,

Pat. No. 3,430,014 [45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [73] AssigneeAllen-bradley Company Milwaukee, Wis.

[54] MODULAR ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH TOGGLE ACTUATING MEANS 2 Claims, 12Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 200/153 G, 337/59, 74/520 [51] Int. Cl 1101b 3/46 [50]Field otSeareh ZOO/153.7,

154, 67 PK, 69 72, 67 B; 337/131, 132, 133, 147, 59, 53; 335/188, 191;74/520 Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerRobert A.Vanderhye Attorneys-Richard C. Steinmetz, Jr. and Arnold J. EricsenABSTRACT: An electric switch with a snap action mechanism includingtoggle links joined at a knee. Holding means retain the knee of thetoggle as the mechanism passes an overcenter position and thereafterrelease the knee at a selected point while biasing means assist inreturning the mechanism and a connected contact carrier from a toggleposition in which the toggle links are extended.

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FATE-ANTED S-EP 1 4 m1 sum 1 (IF 5 PATENTED Sm 4|97| SHEET 2 [IF 5 Ill!INVENTORS ROBERT E. WALTERS GERD C. BOYSEN ATTORNEY PATENTED SEPMIB?!(SI-604L875 SHEET 3 OF 5 INVBIH'ORB ROBERT E. WALTERS GERD. C. BOYSEI 4,7 d: :c/i-

ATTORNEY PATENTEUSEPIMST! 315041875 sum u or 5 'mz a Q znvnn'rons ROBERTa. WALTERS can c. noysnu BY a MODULAR ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH TOGGLEACTUATING MEANS This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 488,548filed Sept. 20, 1965 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,014. This inventionpertains to an electric switch and more particularly a snap-action,manually operated electric switch.

Customer requirements and other factors have resulted in electricswitches which areextremely complex. Consequently, assembly anddisassembly of the switches other than by the factory has become almostprohibitive. The invention described herein not only satisfies thecustomer operating requirements, but accomplishes this end with aconstruction which is simple and conducive to assembly and disassembly.

Such construction is achieved through a switching unit comprising twocomponents, viz, a base unit with fixed contacts and provision forcondition sensitive protection, if desired, and a movable contactcarrier, which switching unit can be adapted to a variety of operatingmechanisms. Furthermore, the switching unit is so designed that varyingsized switching units will accommodate a common operating mechanism.Thus, the switching unit with its mechanism can be considered made ofmodules permitting far more versatility in the manufacturing, sale anduse of the electric switch of the invention than previously known.

In the manufacturing step, for example, it is possible to assemble eachmodule independently and then bring them together for final assembly,which approach represents the most efficient manufacturing method. Saleswise, it is possible to meet the customers varied switch unitrequirements without the need for a separate operating mechanism foreach required combination. Once in use, a switch which is made fromcomponent units or modules and can be disassembled while remaining asintegral units saves considerably reduced time and effort on the part ofthe user.

Size, particularly reduced size, is a consideration of major importancein an electric switch. Also, an electric switch must anticipate the manyfault conditions which may arise under operating conditions. The switchof this invention takes both of these factors into consideration withsignificant improvements.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electricswitch with an operating mechanism which is reduced in size overcomparable operating mechanisms.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a simple, yeteffective fault responsive mechanism in an electric switch withcondition responsive means.

' It is a still further object of this invention to provide trip-freeoperation in an electric switch, i.e., the inability to close the switchwhen selected conditions exist such as overcurrent in the switchedcircuit.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electricswitch with a spring operated, overcenter, snap-operating mechanismwhich mechanism will open the switch even though the springs should failwhile the switch is closed.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the followingdescription of an illustrative form of the invention. While theinvention is not so limited, the drawings and the detailed descriptionwith respect thereto are set forth in order for a better. understandingof the invention. The reader is referred to the appended claims wherethe scope of the invention is set forth.

In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded diagram of the switch making up theinvention, illustrating the modular construction.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway top view of the switch unit.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional, side view of the switch unit set forth inFIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional, side view of a particular mechanism and itshousing taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 5. The mechanism is shown inan extended position usually associated with a closed contact condition.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional, end view of the mechanism set forth in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional, side view of the. mechanism set forth inFIG. 4 and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, but shown in a positionnormally associated with an open contact position.

FIG. 6a is a partial, cross-sectional side view taken along line 6a-6aof FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the mechanism of FIG. 4taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 and in a position normally associatedwith open contacts in response to a.

preselected condition, i.e., a tripped position.

FIG. 8 is a partial, cutaway view of the mechanism in FIGS. 4-7illustrating the parts thereof which prevent reset of the mechanism fromits FIG. 7 position should certain fault conditions exist.

FIG. 9 shows the parts set forth in FIG. 8, but with the positioning ofthese parts should a fault condition exist during operation of conditionsensing means such as an overcurrent delay.

FIG. 10 is a partial, side view of the locking and securing mechanismused for the switch unit in FIG. 2 and 3.

FIG. 11 is a partial, end view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 10.

The modular concept of the electric switch of this invention is bestillustrated by FIG. 1. Here, the switch unit 1 is made from a base 2 anda movable contact carrier 3. The operator 6, with its integral operatingmeans to be described later, is a modular unit adaptable to the switchunit I.

Within the base unit 2 is a provision for a number of current-carryingpaths, herein illustrated by three such paths. Terminals 9 and 10 forexternal connection terminate either end of these current-carrying pathsand are located at either end of the base 2. Fixed contacts 11 areconnected on the one hand by way of current conductor 14 to terminal 9;while on the other hand by way of current conductor I5 and the conditionsensitive unit (to be described hereinafter) to terminal 10. Thecondition sensitive units for protective purposes used in the embodimentof the drawings is best shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a well-knownsolder pot, current overcurrent unit 18. In the conventional manner, anexcessive current will liquefy a solder pot within the unit I8, thusreleasing a held rotatable ratchet wheel 20. v I X FIG. 3 best shows thepawl arm 21 which transfers the releasing motion of the ratchet wheel 20to the slide 23. Compression spring 24 biases the slide 23 to aid in themovement of slide 23.

Between each current conducting path in the base 2, i.e,., that pathbetween the terminals 9 and 10, are barrier means 27 which have aprimary function to prevent any are from moving between adjacentcurrent-carrying paths. Each barrier 27 includes an extended portion 28intermediate the condition sensitive, solder pot units 18 for shieldingtherebetween. Vertical openings 29 in the barriers 27 of base 2 (as bestshown in FIG 1 and 2) permit access to the slide 23 so that motionthereof may be transmitted to the operator 6, to be described later.External to the base 2 are molded lugs 30 with apertures 31, which lugs30 provide attachmentmeans. The movable contact carrier 3 includes guidelugs 40 at either end which move within the guide track 41 molded in thebase 2.

This movable contact carrier 3 completes the switch unit 1 as it fitswithin arc chambers 35 provided for each of the fixed contacts 11. Eacharc chamber 35 is essentially an open topped chamber surrounded bymolded portions of the base 2, viz, sidewalls 36 and transverse walls37, in combination with the barrier walls 27.

Movable contacts 43 are retained within the contact carrier 3 by meansof biasing springs 44. Each movable contact 43 is located withinU-shaped molded pieces 45 which fit within each arc chamber 35 such thatthey are below the arc chamber closing walls or are shields 47 of thecarrier 3. Stru tural support for the walls 47 of the carrier 3 isprovided at either end by the molded, cross-sectional box constructionat 49 and by the triangular support construction at 50 for theintermediate movable contacts 43. The contact carrier 3 is movablybiased to a normally open contact position as shown in FIG. 3 by meansof biasing springs shown herein with a cover portion 52.

An L-shaped hook 54 provides the connection between the movable contact3 and the operator 6 as will be described later.

Utilizing a wall 47 of the movable contact carrier 3 to close the finalwall of the arc chamber 35 provides a most efficient and expeditiousconstruction with advantages such as hitherto unavailable compactconstruction and utilization of the switch unit 1 independent from theoperator 6. Moreover, the particular construction of the operator 6becomes less critical in sofar as shielding is concerned because themovable wall 47 accomplishes this end.

Additional advantages in arc suppression characteristics within the arcchamber 35 may be had through the use of an arc-quenching material suchas the hot-molded arc-quenching Rosite material (viz, a water insolublebinder and an arc-suppressing substance selected from the classconsisting of the oxides and hydrates of aluminum and magnesium)manufactured by the Rostone Corporation of Lafayette Indiana The uniqueconstruction of the arc chamber in combination with the use of anarc-quenching material for the spaced sidewalls 36, transverse walls 37and/or arc chamber closing walls 47 of contact carrier 3 permit reducedswitch size plus increased switch reliability and operating life.

Details of the operator 6 are set forth in FIGS. 4 through 7. Thisoperator is an integral unit comprising a housing 57 and an operatingmechanism 58, the latter being attached to the former by, for example,screws 59, to form this integral unit. This integral unit is attached asa unit to the switch unit 1 by fastening means which connect the modularunits at the lugs 62 on housing 57 of operator 6.

The operating mechanism 58 is supported within a U- shaped piece 60which, in turn, is supported upon the plate 61. A mechanism operator 64is pivoted upon the U-piece 60 so as to move toggle links 65 and 66, thelatter being attached to the contact carrier 3 through pin 67, i.e., theL-shaped hook 54 of the contact carrier engages pin 67. As is seen inFIG. 5, links 65 and 66 each take the form of twin links in thisparticular embodiment. Springs 70 connect the operator 64 at 71 with thetoggle links 65 and 66 by means of pin 72 to establish a pivot pointwhich is better known as the knee of the operating mechanism 58.

By moving the operator 64 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, a point isreached beyond which the net vectorial force of the springs 70 asapplied to the knee 72 is sufficient to move the knee at 72 from theposition of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 6. This position beyond whichmovement of the knee at 72 occurs is referred to as the center positionsince the net vectorial forces exerted by springs 70 upon the knee at 72are substantially balanced.

With the use of sufficient spring force through springs 70, the movementof the knee at 72 will be a snap action, i.e., an unrestrained, quickmovement from, for example, the position of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 6.Because of this action, the movement of the knee at 72 is termed anovercenter, snap action.

Reducing the size of this operating mechanism 58 without effectingperformance characteristic is restricted in viewof the forcerequirements in the springs 70. However, by this invention, it is nowpossible to design a smaller mechanism utilizing smaller spring orsprings 70 based upon the springs 70 utilizing their maximum availableforce, viz, effecting snap action of the knee at 72 when the operator 64has moved substantially beyond the center position. This result isaccomplished through the use of lever 75.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 6a, the lever 75 is pivoted at one endabout pin 76 and has a cammed surface 77 at the other end. The specificlever 75 shown in the drawings is a bifurcated piece with two arms 78and therefor two cammed surfaces 77. Torsion spring 79 located about thepin 76 encourages the lever 75 in a direction toward the operatingmechanism 58.

This biased upward movement of the lever 75 brings the cammed surfaces77 in contact with the pin 72, i.e., the knee, when the switch is in theposition of FIG. 6. This cammed surface 77 is so designed that when theoperator 64 moves from the position of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 6, theknee at 72 will not move when the operator 64 moves immediately beyondthe center position. Instead, at a selected position between the centerposition and the f nal rest position of the operator 64, the netvectorial force of spring will overcome the opposing or holding force ofthe cammed surface 77 to thereby release the knee at 72 for the desiredsnap action. Thus, the same required spring force necessary for switchunit operation has been supplied, but with the use of springs 70 smallerthan a mechanism without the restraining force of cammed surfaces 77and, consequently, a smaller mechanism 58.

In the position of FIG. 4, the upward motion of the lever is restrainedby abutment between the extended arm portion 81 of lever 64 andprotruding lug 82 extending out from the lever 75. This abutment betweenarm 81 and lug 82 also serves to stop the motion of the mechanism 58when traveling from the FIG. 6 to the FIG. 4 position. Likewise,abutment between the pin 72 and the trip lever 96 at 83 stops the samemotion of mechanism 58. Conversely, the abutment between arm extension107 of operator 64 (see FIG. 8) stops the motion of mechanism 58 as itmoves to the position of FIG. 6 from the position of FIGS. 4 or 7.

The use of push buttons (as opposed to a reciprocal lever which would beattached to the operator 74) is illustrated in FIG. 4. Here, pushbuttons87 and 88 are operatively connected to the operator 64 by way ofbifurcated connectors 89 and 90, respectively. Motion of the connectors89 and 90 is guided in the slots 91 and 92 of the U-piece 60.

Utilizing the operator 6 as set forth in FIGS. 4 through 7 for theswitch unit 1, the position of the mechanism 58 in FIG. 4 would reflectthe On or closed position between the movable contacts 43 and the fixedcontacts llsince the toggle links 65 and 66 are extended so as to movethe contact carrier 3 in a downward or extended position. Conversely,the operating mechanism 58 as shown in FIG. 6 reflects Off or contactopen position of the movable contacts 43 and the fixed contacts 11 sincethe toggle links 65 and 66 are in a retracted position.

Should springs 70 fail when the operating mechanism moves to the Onposition, herein FIG. 4, it is advantageous that the mechanismnevertheless be movable to the Off position, herein FIG. 6. This end isachieved as spring member 94, affixed to the operator 64 at 95, abutsthe link 65 as the operator 64 is moved from the On position. Link 65thereby moves the pin 72 or knee toward its retracted position of FIG.6.

Springs inherent in a switching unit supply the remaining forcenecessary to complete this movement of the knee at 72. For example, thesprings 52 in the base 2 which have been compressed by the closingmovement of contact carrier 3 and the contact springs 44 which likewisehave been closed by contact closing would supply the remaining necessaryforce to achieve the position of FIG. 6.

The mechanism 58 as shown in FIG. 4-7, further aids the contact openingshould springs 70 fail by locating the knee at 72 beyond the overcenterposition in a partially retracted position during the On position (FIG.4). Therefore, before the knee at 72 can move to the retracted positionof FIG. 6, it must first go through an extended position which willnecessarily further compress the springs 44 and 52. This added potentialenergy insures return of the knee at 72 to the FIG. 6 position.

It may also be desired that the operating mechanism 58 respond to theslide 23 of the switch unit 1 when predetermined conditions exist. Inparticular, it may be desired, in the switch unit 1 depicted by thedrawings, to separate the contacts 43 and fixed contacts 11 when certainoverload conditions exist in the circuit to which the switch unit 1 isconnected, i.e., move the contact carrier 3 by means of toggle links 65and 66 from their extended position of FIG. 4 to the retracted positionof FIG. 7 in response to the released rotational movement of the ratchetwheel in overload unit 18. This retraction of the movable contactcarrier 3 is accomplished through the movement of the trip lever 96which is pivoted on pin 67 (attached then to the operator housing 57)and is pivotally connected to the toggle link 65 at 98.

It can be seen from FIG. 4, that movement of the trip lever 96 towardthe operator 64 about pin 97 will retract the toggle links 65 and 66.This end is accomplished by releasing the trip lever 96 from itsrestrain position of FIG. 4 with the rotation of trip pin 98. Once thetrip pin 98 is rotated to free the trip lever 96, the extended tensionsprings 70 are sufficient to retract the toggle link 65 and 66 at pin 72and pull the trip lever 96 into the position of FIG. 7.

The rotation of trip pin 98 is in response to movement of the slide 23which, in turn, pivots the relay actuator 101 upon its pivot pin 102.The motion of relay actuator 101 is transferred to the trip pin 98through an extension of the latter in the form of trip pin arm 103.Tension spring 104 biases the trip pin arm 103 with respect to the relayactuator 101 to aid in the reset operation as will be describedhereinafter.

The resetting sequence for the mechanism 58, i.e., moving the mechanism58 from the position of FIG. 7 to that of FIG. 6, also resets theoverload unit 18 as the slide 23 returns back to the position of FIG. 3.The common reset action is begun through movement of the operator 64 soas to pivot the trip lever 96 about the pivot point 97. It is noted thatin resetting the mechanism 58, thev portion of the trip lever 96 whichis to be restrained by contact with the trip pin 98, be moved past itsposition of FIG. 6 before the trip pin 98 completes its rotation to therestraining position of FIG. 6.

The common reset action of the trip pin 98 and actuator 101 is completedwith the abutment between the arm extension 107 of operator 64 and therelay actuator 101. This abutment relationship between the arm 107 andrelay actuator 101 is illustrated in FIG. 9 which shows the operator 64as it nears its position of FIG. 6 to begin reset and rotation of trippin 98 without the latter interfering with the passage of trip lever 96thereby. Thus, the reset of mechanism 58 is effected by the return ofthe trip pin 98 to its restraining position of FIG. 6 as the relayactuator 101 is pivoted in a clockwise direction upon pin 102 (as viewedin FIG. 7), permitting the tension spring 104 to pull the trip pin arm103 and, consequently, trip pin 98 along until the FIG. 6 position isreached. At the same time, the clockwise motion of the relay actuator101 returns the slide 23 to its position of FIG. 3 to thereby reset thecondition sensitive portion, i.e., overcurrent unit 18.

Should springs 70 fail in the position of FIG. 4, it is most importantthat the mechanism 58 nevertheless operate to move the contact carrier 3to the contact open position of FIG. 3 when trip lever 96 is releasedfrom its restrained position in FIG. 4. As is described above inconnection with moving the mechanism 58 to the position of FIG. 6 fromFIG. 4 should springs 70 fail in the former position, the same actionthrough spring 94 in operator 64 and springs 52 and 44 in the switchunit 1 accomplish the movement to FIG. 7 from FIG. 4 under these sameadverse conditions.

For various 7 reasons, the movable contact carrier 3 may remain in acontact closed position, i.e., the movable contacts 43 engaging thefixed contact of 11, after slide 23 has moved the relay actuator 101 soas to release the trip lever 96. Since it is undesirable to reset theoperating mechanism 58 under such conditions, a locking device has beenincorporated.

Freely pivoted upon the pin 102, which carries the relay actuator 101,is trip lock lever 110. A spring 111 biases the trip lock lever 110toward the trip pin arm 103 at one end so that the tab 114 abuts thetrip pin arm 103. Another portion of trip lock lever 110 extends throughthe support plate 61 as finger 115. The relationship and operation ofthe relay actuator 101,

the trip pin arm 103 and trip pin 98 with the trip lock lever 110 isillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship when the operating mechanism 58 is in theposition of FIGS. 4 and 6, viz, the tab 114 of trip lock lever abuts thetrip pin arm 103 so as to prevent a clockwise rotation of the trip lockleve'r 110 and contact between the finger and the movable contactcarrier 3. The uppermost position of contact carrier 3 is shown in FIGS.8 and 9. When the operating mechanism 58 is tripped and the position ofFIG. 7 assumed, the trip pin arm 103 is rotated clockwise as shown inFIG. 9 freeing the trip lock lever 110 to move clockwise. This clockwisemotion of trip lock lever 110 is limited by its abutment with thesupport plate 61 which brings the tab 114 into line with the previouslyabutted portion of the trip pin arm 103 and thereby blocksanycounterclockwise or reset motion of the trip pin arm 103. With the trippin arm 103 blocked, the tension spring 104 is unable to pull the trippin arm and attached trip pin 98 to a position so as to restrain triplever 96 when the arm extension 107 of operator 64 rotates relayactuator 101 in its counterclockwise, resetting motion. Tension springs112, attached between the operator 64 and pin 76, aid in returning theoperator 64 back to the position of FIG. 7 should the trip lock lever110 prevent reset of the operating mechanism 58.

The trip lock lever 110 can be removed from this blocking position onlyif the movable contact carrier 3 returns to its normal open position asshown in FIG. 3 and schematically in FIGS. 8 and 9 to thereby abutfinger 115 and rotate the trip lock lever 110 in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 9. Thus, resetting of the operatingmechanism 58 is not possible when the movable contact 43 and fixedcontacts 11 remain closed.

It is also important that the contact carrier 3 be locked in its upwardor contact open position. As best shown in FIGS. 5, 10 and 1 1, thecontact carrier 3 includes lug 119 with detent 120. Pivoted at 121 onthe U-piece 60 is the lock arm 122 which engages detent for retainingthe contact carrier 3 inthe position shown. Extension lock arm 124includes slot 125 in which finger 126 of lock arm 122 slides. Theslo't125 is so designed that reciprocal motion of the extension lock arm124 will cause the lock arm 122 to pivot about 121, i.e., move the lockarm into and out of the locking position with respect to the detent 120.Flat spring 127 located between pivoted lock arm 122 and extension lockarm 124 maintains the spacing therebetween and creates sufficientfriction therebetween to maintain selected positions of said arms.

It is important to note that this structure, used to retain a contactcarrier 3 in an open position, achieves this end through movement of theintegral locking mechanism, viz; lock arm 122 and extension lock arm124. Additionallocking through the use of independent means such as apadlock passed through the aperture 128, when the lock arm is inposition shown by dotted lines in FIG. 11, serve to secure the alreadylocked switch, contrary to the usual operation which requires the use ofexternal padlock through the aperture 128 for locking. This featuremeans that the operator can accomplish the locking function when he sointends and not during that most dangerous time interval during whichthe operator searches for the padlock. Various sized independentsecuring means may be accommodated through the addition to the slot 125of the slot portion 129 which extends substantially parallel to thereciprocal motion of extension lock arni 124. I

When detent 120 of contact carrier 3 is not available for locking, i.e.,in a position other than that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, movement of lockarm 122 toward a locking position may abut the lug 119 of the contactcarrier 3 with detrimental operation results. To prevent against suchabutment, interlock 130 with notch 131 is pivotally mounted on pivot 121so as to intercept pin 132 of extension lock arm 124. Finger 133 oninterlock 130 connects the operator 64 with the interlock 130. Thus, asoperator 64 moves clockwise (FIG. 11) to displace contact carrier 3 fromthe position of FIGS. 10 and 11, Intellock 130 is also moved until notch131 intercepts pin 132 to prevent locking movement of extension lock arm124. This inability to move the extension arm 124 not only preventsfaulty We claim: I 1. An electric switch with a snap action operatingmeans comprising,

a. first toggle link means pivoted about a point at a first end,

b. second toggle link means pivotally connected at a first end to asecond end of said first link means to form a knee,

c. pivoted operating lever means connected to said first and second linkmeans by first biasing means which are attached to said knee so as tosupply snap action motion to said knee and said first and second linkswhen said first biasing means are moved immediately beyond an overcenterposition of said first biasing means,

d. contact carrier means connected at a second end to said second linkmeans,

c. said first and second toggle link means having a first extendedposition wherein said link means are substantially in line and a secondretracted position wherein said link means form an angle therebctween atsaid knee,

. said contact carrier having a first position corresponding to saidfirst extended position of said toggle link means and a second positioncorresponding to said second position of said toggle link means,

g. said contact carrier transferring potential energy to second biasingmeans upon movement of said toggle link means and contact carrier meansto said respective first positions, said potential energy utilized toreturn said toggle link means and contact carrier to said respectivesecond positions,

h. said first position of said toggle link means formed by an angletherebetween at said knee with said knee in said first and secondpositions 'of said link means being opposite sides of the line drawnbetween said pivot point for said first end of said first link means andsaid pivot connection at said second end ofsaid second link means, and

i. said operating lever means including third biasing means to abut saidtoggle link means and move said knee from said first position to atleast said line drawn between said first and second link means.

2. An electric switch with a snap action operating means comprising,

a. first toggle link means pivoted about a point at a first end, b.second toggle link means pivotally connected at a first end to a secondend of said first link means to form a knee, 7 pivoted operating levermeans connected to said first and second link means by first biasingmeans which are attached to said knee so as to supply snap action motionto said knee and said first and second links when said first biasingmeans are moved immediately beyond an overcenter position of said firstbiasing means, d. holding means to restrain said knee from said snapaction motion at said overcenter position, said holding means comprisinga pivoted lever means with cammed surface means thereon which abut andrelease said knee to effect snap action motion at a selected pointbeyond said overcenter position, and f. said lever means being biasedtoward said knee by second biasing means.

1. An electric switch with a snap action operating means comprising, a.first toggle link means pivoted about a point at a first end, b. secondtoggle link means pivotally connected at a first end to a second end ofsaid first link means to form a knee, c. pivoted operating lever meansconnected to said first and second link means by first biasing meanswhich are attached to said knee so as to supply snap action motion tosaid knee and said first and second links when said first biasing meansare moved immediately beyond an overcenter position of said firstbiasing means, d. contact carrier means connected at a second end tosaid second link means, e. said first and second toggle link meanshaving a first extended position wherein said link means aresubstantially in line and a second retracted position wherein said linkmeans form an angle therebetween at said knee, f. said contact carrierhaving a first position corresponding to said first extended position ofsaid toggle link means and a second position corresponding to saidsecond position of said toggle link means, g. said contact carriertransferring potential energy to second biasing means upon movement ofsaid toggle link means and contact carrier means to said respectivefirst positions, said potential energy utilized to return said togglelink means and contact carrier to said respective seCond positions, h.said first position of said toggle link means formed by an angletherebetween at said knee with said knee in said first and secondpositions of said link means being opposite sides of the line drawnbetween said pivot point for said first end of said first link means andsaid pivot connection at said second end of said second link means, andi. said operating lever means including third biasing means to abut saidtoggle link means and move said knee from said first position to atleast said line drawn between said first and second link means.
 2. Anelectric switch with a snap action operating means comprising, a. firsttoggle link means pivoted about a point at a first end, b. second togglelink means pivotally connected at a first end to a second end of saidfirst link means to form a knee, c. pivoted operating lever meansconnected to said first and second link means by first biasing meanswhich are attached to said knee so as to supply snap action motion tosaid knee and said first and second links when said first biasing meansare moved immediately beyond an overcenter position of said firstbiasing means, d. holding means to restrain said knee from said snapaction motion at said overcenter position, said holding means comprisinga pivoted lever means with cammed surface means thereon which abut andrelease said knee to effect snap action motion at a selected pointbeyond said overcenter position, and f. said lever means being biasedtoward said knee by second biasing means.